Capstone Video

My final project for ETEC561...
http://screencast.com/t/QnT1c6uniPga

Section 7: New Direction in Instructional Design and Technology

This section of the textbook addresses new directions and emerging technologies for IDT.  For your final post, reflect on how you might apply each of the following in your current or future position in the IDT field:

Distributed or e-learning environments
I believe that e-learning can be a great tool for teachers to attend workshops or conferences.  This fall, the K-2 teachers in our district were involved in a 2 day video conference about a new reading intervention.  This was a way for the teachers to receive the training without the presenter being physically with us.  We were also able to interact with the presenter and ask questions, as she talked and showed instructional videos.  I feel that this could be a useful tool in the library.  One thing I would love to do is to have an author share their experiences and answer questions with students through the use of technology. 

Reusable design or learning objects
In my current position as a kindergarten teacher, I have created a Notebook file for use with the SMARTboard.  The file is used each day for circle time/calendar time.  Instead of having a physical calendar in the room, we manipulate the calendar on the SMARTboard each day.  There are pages that the students write the date and track the weather on.  The file also contains song files and activities, such as counting, days of the week, months of the year, etc. that we use each day.

Rich Media
I use rich media in my classroom for many of my lessons.  When I begin most of my lessons, I try and find some type of video, whether it’s a clip from YouTube or something on Safari Montage, which will hook the students into the lesson. Young children get really excited about songs and videos and don’t even realize they are learning while they are having fun! 

Emerging instructional technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, Web 2.0, virtual worlds, electronic games, etc.
An example of using emerging instructional technologies in my current classroom would be through virtual field trips.  Currently, our kindergarten classes are looking into doing a virtual field trip with the Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History.  This type of field trip would allow the students to experience the museum without the cost of transportation or admissions.  There would still be a fee for the “trip”, but it would be less costly than going on a real field trip.  I would consider many of the apps on the iPad as electronic games.  The students play these “games”, but they are actually learning!

Week 6: Getting an IDT Position and Succeeding at It

Begin your post for this week with some background: what is your current job, what program are you enrolled in, what brings you to that program, and what do you expect when you graduate (change jobs? obtain a promotion?)
I am currently a Kindergarten teacher for Cedar Hill ISD.  I have been teaching for the past 16 years (5^th grade Math, 3^rd grade, Kindergarten and Pre K).  As a young child, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher and work with children.  After years in the classroom, and the love of reading and books, I have decided it’s finally time for a change.  I am currently pursuing my Masters of Educational Technology/Library Science through TAMC.  My goal after graduating with my Masters Degree is to get a job as a school librarian, preferably in an elementary school.

Next, describe the kind of work you want to do and the type of organization or institution in which you want to work. Use the WorkMatrix in the chapter titled “Getting a Job in the Business and Industry” to help organize your thoughts. Do you most desire first, second, third or fourth level service? Or would you rather design or develop instruction? What features of work are important to you? What economic sector do you want to work in?
Because my text book edition does not have the WorkMatrix, I was not able to thoroughly investigate it and see what each level means.  But, from reading a few of the other blogs, I feel that I must be in the 1^st level of service (teaching, delivering, and training).  I want to continue working with students, preferably elementary aged students after graduating with my Masters Degree.  I would love to help teachers incorporate technology into their lessons and share information with them. But, I am not a person who likes to stand up in front of my peers and give presentations!

Based on these intentions, explain what you need to learn. What skills and qualifications do you need? Will you obtain the skills you need in the required courses in your program? What electives might you need to take to help you develop skills specific to your aspirations?
I will need to graduate with my Masters Degree and pass the certification test to become a school librarian.  This is my second semester as a graduate student, so there are many more courses that will help me develop my library skills and technology/media integration.  I am looking forward to learning and gaining new knowledge over the next year of school.

Finally, what organizations would best support your continued learning after you graduate? Do you think you would benefit from joining these organizations before graduating? Explain why or why not?
I think there are a several organizations that will best support my continued learning after graduation.  I will most likely join the Texas Library Association.  I will be able to keep up to date on many issues that librarians in Texas are encountering.  Another organization that I most likely will join is the American Association of School Librarians.  I hope to look into joining at least of one these organizations in the spring.  By joining while I am still in school, sometimes there is a discount!  Plus, I will be able to gain that much more information in my hopeful field.